Photographic-printing machine



April 10, 1928. 1,666,052

B. D. CHAMBERLIN PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V'EJV'TOR. Berg'amin/j). (llzamberlm;

B. D. CHAMBE'RLIN PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Apr-H10, 1928.

Filed Dec. 16. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JTTORNE 1 15.

B. D. CHAMBERLIN PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE April 10, 1928.

Filed Dec. 16. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 7 5 W N x 9 a w v m a F; Q2 I I Md! 7. .7 m w NIH I u I w April 10, 1928. 1,666,052

B. D. CHAMBERLIN PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 16, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

, UNITED STATES- 1,666,052 PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN D. GHAMBEBLIN, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK; ASSIGNOB TO EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION 01 NEW YORK.

PHOTOGRAIHIC-PRINTING MACHINE.

Application filed December 16, 1924. Serial No. 756,347.

This invention relates to photography, and more particularly to photographic printing machines. It has for its object to provide a printing machine with which good contact between the negative and printing paper may be obtained with a minimum amount of effort on 'the part of the operator. Another object is to provide a printer in which the platen is automatically retained against the printing panel by means of the mechanism which is used to move the platen. -Another objectis to provide a printing machine in which the angle of'the printing panel may be readily altered to suit the needs'of the individual operator. Another object is to provide a printing machine with which a printing stamp may cooperate so as to print characters upon the paper while it is held upon the printing panel. Another object is 2 toprovide a toggle movement for obtaining the desired pressure. upon the printing panel. Another object is to equip the toggle links with a suitable stop mechanism which will automatically retain the toggle members in their pressure position. Still another object is to provide a bell crank lever, one portion of which forms a part of the toggle, and the other carries an operating handle. Other objects will appear from the following specification, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end thereof.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote like parts throughout, v

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a printer constructed'in accordance with, and illustrating one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail part in section showing the platen and the toggle mount; s

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in section on line 33 of Fig. 2 showing in elevation the toggle mount;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of theplaten and platen moving'mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the printer with the platen and platen bearings removed; F Fig. 6 is a section taken on l1ne 6-6 of ig. 9- 1 I Fig. 7 is a section taken online 7-7 of Fig.- 5, certain parts being omitted for cleharness; f -d t l v t V i 8 is a ragmentary e ai perspec iveof pirts of the platen and paper holding member; v

springs 13 and 15, as best shown in Fig. 3.

.ing an adjustable supporting bar;

Fig. 14 is a section on line 1 1-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a section through apart of the printer, frame showing the printing panel and difl'using plates in section; and

r Fig. 16 isa perspective view of the printing panel support removed from the printer.

As shown in Fig. 1, this printer may consist ofa top frame 1 in which there is supported a printing panel 2, and from which there extends upwardly a pair of brackets 3. These brackets carry bearings 4 throu h which a shaft 5 passes, as best shown 1n Fig. 9. On each end of the shaft 5 there is a link 6 which forms a part of the toggle. Each link is preferably pinned at 7 to the- "shaft 5 so that they will turn together with the shaft. The other toggle links are formed, as best shown in Fig. 1, like a bell crank lever, the short arms 8 of which are pivoted at 9 to links 6, and the long arms 10 support between them a handle 11. These levers are carried by a shaft 12, which, as 00 best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, passes through a spring yoke 13, the central portion 14 of which is attached to a second spring member 15 having its ends 16 attached to blocks 17 which form a part of the platen 18.

When the platen is lowered upon the rinting panel, it is automatically retained in its lowermost position by means of a force exerted upon the toggle links by When the parts are moved in Fig. 4 from the position shown in dashed lines to that shown in full lines, thetoggle links it and 8 pass slightly by a dead center. The angle A indicates their relative sition. The springs 14 and 15 tend to tlrust u wardly. and thus'retain the toggle links in the position'shown. The links are prevented om movingbeyond this position b means (if the stop lugs 19 on the upper l' 6. These no along the back edge of the movable platen.

'8, is used.

limit the movement of the toggle links in one direction. I The platen 18 is preferably in the form of a casting, having raised edges 20 and rearwardly extending supporting arms 21see Fig. 8. These arms are provided with bearings 22 which engage a shaft 23 which is supported upon bearings 24 which may form a part of the main frame 1. A. heavy spring 25 is coiled about this shaft and is provided with a central loop 26 which extends under springs 13-15 so as to normally tend to raise the platen. The ends 27 of the spring are passed through the partition 28. The platen is also provided with an opening 29-Fig. 10-through which the printing stamp 68 may operate. There is also a ra'bbet 30 The contacting base 31 may be covered with plush or felt 32.

in order to hold the printing paper in positionv until the platen is lowered, a paper holding member 33, as shown in Figs. 5 and This member consists of a paper engaging portion 84 which may be faced with felt 35,and which has rearwardly extending arms 86 with bearings 37 for the shaft 23. A spring 38 normally tends to turn this member towards the printing panel 2. There is a pin 39 on one arm 36 which lies in the path of arm 40, which may be attached to or which forms a part of the platen 18. The platen when moved by handle 11, turns upon shaft 23 and after the major portion of its upward movement has been made, arm 40 strikes pm 39 and raises the paper holding member. When the movement of the parts is reversed, the paper holding member reaches the printing panel in ad Vance of the platen, so that it will retain the printing-paper in its proper position until the platen is completely lowered. The paper holder above described lies beneath the rabbet 80 of the platen 20 when the parts are in an operative position pressing against the glass panel 2.-

The negative holder consists of an L-" shaped member 41, one arm of which.42 carries lugs 48 and 44. The former provides a bearing for the shaft 46 and the latter a bearing for shaft 23. The L-shaped memher is thus hinged to the frame, and is normally pressed toward the printing panel by a spring .47. A thin metal L-shaped late 48 is fastened beneath the negative member 41 and serves as amasking plate, as well as'a negative engaging member.

The margins of a plate may be masked so as to produce a white border around prints by means of the L-shaped member 48, above described, and by means of two masking strips 49 and 50. The width of the margins produced by the [shaped member may be varied by means of the plates '51 and 52, each pf which is provided with angular slots 53 olding' 55. Plates 51 are preferably slightly curved in cross section, as best shown in Fig. 7, as

this facilitates fastening the plate with the edge 56 tightly against plate 48.

The masking strips 49 and may be adjusted to and from the sides of the L-shaped member by means of the shoes 56sce Figs. 11 and 12. These shoes are adapted to slide in the slots 57 and 58 cut in the printer frame. Each shoe consists of a metallic block attached to a masking member in any suitable manner, as by screws 59. There are flanges 60 at the bottom of the block, and a movable'pin 61 is placed in the central bore 62. This pin is'provided with a finger grip 63, and a central tapered wall 64 which engages a taper 65 on the latched pin 66. A spring 67 normally thrusts pin 61 outwardly, this also tends to move the locking pin 65 against a wall of the slot, thus bindingthe shoe against the opposite wall, and retaining the masking strip in the desired position. Pressure upon finger release 63 permits the mask to move. 5

The printing stamp 68, as best shown in Fig. 10, is carried by four screws 69 which are encircled by the coil springs 70. The

screws pass through apertures 71 in arm 72.

This arm is pivoted at 73 to a link 74 pivoted to the frame at 75. A stub shaft 76 ivotally connects arm 72 with links 77, and 8. The

former link is carried by a stud 79 attached to the main frame, and the latter link is carried by a stud 80, which is fastened into an upper toggle link 6. As the platen is moved,

the printing stamp will be moved between its operative or stamping position, shown in full lines, Fig. 10, and its inking position shown in dashed lines in the same figure. The inking pad 81 is supported by the printer frame. The stamping mechanism forms the subject matter of my application for patent, Serial Flanges 88 are formed on the bottom of this box to receivediffusing material which may consist of opal or ground'glass plates 89.

'The box can be readily removed for changing the diffusing glass or other material or for replacing the printing'panel. It may also be removed for changing the lamps 96 and 100. In Fig. 1 a slightly different embodiment of my printer is shown, in which there is a door 90 hinged at 91 to the printing cabinet 92, and having a latch 93 which may be opcut from the metal erated by the knob 94. When this-door is swung open, a card 95 or other vignetting appliances may be thrust to the door to a position beneath the printin panel.

Beneath the printing pane 83 there is a printing lamp 96 mounted inside of a suitable reflector 97. There is an aperture 98' in one side of the reflector from which there is a cup-shaped extension 99 car in a-pilot light 100. This is preferably 0 ru y color and is connected to a source of power through wires 101 so as to burn continuously. The printin lamp 96 is controlled by a switch 102 wh1ch may be of the type in which a plunger 103 can be pressed to make the circuit- This switch is mounted upon a bracket 104 which is supported between the upright brackets 3 by means of 'two screws 105. This switch can be readily removed by removing'these screws. To 0perate this switch, there is a plunger 107 car. rying a collar 108 and sliding in the bearings 109. A spring 110 normally thrusts the plunger upwardly so that a roller 111 will press against a cam 112 which is pinned to the shaft 5. The collar 108 limits the upward movement of the roller, so that it is always in the ath of the cam face 113, as best shown in ig. 6. When the platen 18 is lowered to its operative position, the cam 112 is moved from the position shown in dashed lines, to that shown in full lines, in which position the printing lamp is burning. Plunger 107 is provided with a screw 114 with which a lock nut 115 cooperates.

This screw can be turned to alter the length of the plunger, and consequently the time at which the lunger 103 ofthe switch will be actuated. l prefer to adjust this so that the printing lamp will burn after the platen .is completely lowered and just before the toggle arms come to rest in their operative position; in other words, so that the switch will make the circuit when the toggle is in the position shown in dashed and dotted lines in- Fig. 4 at P.

As shown in Fig. 1, the frame supporting structure here shown as a box-like structure 92 is provided with supporting arms 120 -L-shaped in cross section. These arms may be fastened by screws 121 to the box. I prefer, however,.to provide ad'ustable. supportin arms 125 such as is s own in Fig. 13 w ere the arm 125 is pivotally attached by a stud 126 to the casing 92 and this arm is equipped with a plurality of struck-out In 127. As shown in Fi 14, these lugs may e f the supports 125, and bent backwards so as to .be spaced from the face 128 of the su ort. The wall 129 of the printer is IOVl ed'with a (plurality of cut outs 130 w ich are arrange in arcuate paths about the ivot 126 so that they may be en aged by t e'lugs'127. This may be done yspi'inging out the end 181 of a supporting arm and withdrawing the hooks 127 from the apertures. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 13, the apertures are marked level, and these having been found in practice the most useful inclinations. W'hen the printer is mounted upon a support such as a frame or table 135, the flanges 125 of the supporting arms rest upon the top 136 of the supporting frame while the remainder of the box 92 extends down through an opening 137 out in the support. Obviously by altering the location of the side supporting arms 125, the inclination of the printing panel may be changed to suit the individual operator. When the printer is mounted, as shown, for the 30 inclination, the paper will slide freely from the printng panel when the platen is raised. When the arms are arranged for a 20 inclination, the paper will still slide from the printing panel, but much more slowly. At

"the 10 inclination, and at the level setting the paper does not slide by gravity. from the printing panel.

The operation of .my device is as follows: After having initially set the printing panel to the desired inclination by means of the supporting arms 125, the machine is ready 'for use. The masking arms 49 and are set to the'desired size after which the L-shaped clamp 41 is raised and a negative placed beneath it. Plate 48 will retain the negative upon the printing panel 83. The

paper margin may be adjusted by the gauge plates 51 and 52. A sheet of sensitizedpaper is then laid with its edges contacting with the gauge plates, and as the handle 11 is moved downwardly the paper holding member 36 contacts with the paper which may then be,released, containing the downward movement of handle 11, the platen 18 is caused to press-the paper tightly against the negative, and as the tog le links 6--8 are brought slightly past a dead center in which link 8 contacts with stop 19. The platen will be firmly retained in its operative position. This movement causes the printm stamp 68 to move through a short are am? to press firmly at one end of its stroke against the printing paper through the platen opening 29. A slight upward movement of the handle 11 moves the links from their locking osition and permits the sprin 25 to raise t e platen.

Although I have shown in the drawings preferred forms of my printer, I contem-' therein, of a platen movable to and from lid the panel, a handle for moving the platen, a toggle connected to the platen one link of which is extended to carry the handle, and a spring associated with the toggle and platen whereby the platen may be held in an operative position upon the panel when the toggle links are positioned by moving the handle.

2. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a frame having 'a printing panel therein, of a platen movable to and from the panel, and means for moving the platen including a toggle, a handle formed on an extension of a toggle arm, one toggle arm being provided with a stop lug, said lug lying in the path of the other toggle arm, whereby the movement of the toggle by the handle is limited.

x 3. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable to and from the panel, a spring support carried by the platen, a toggle for moving.

the platen having one arm pivoted to the spring support and the ot'her'to the machine, a handle on one toggle arm, the toggle'arms being positioned to exert a direct thrust upon the spring support when the platen is lowered upon the panel by the handle.

4. In a photographic printing the combination with a frame having a' printing panel therein, of a platen movable to and from the frame, a toggle for moving the platen, a handle by which the toggle may be moved, a spring through which one link of the toggle is connected to the platen, means for limiting the movement of the toggle links a predetermined distance past a dead center, whereby the platen may be latched against the panel through the toggle links placing the spring under tension when moved by the handle. a l

5. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable to and from the frame, a toggle for moving the platen, a yielding connection between one toggle link and the platen, pivotal connections between the other toggle linkand the frame and between the two toggle links, a stop limiting the movement of the toggle, and a handle connected to the toggle for moving the platen, the yielding connection and the stop being arranged so that the toggle may retain the platen in a closedposition. I

6. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable thereover, a spring yoke supported by the platen, a pair of toggleseach having arms carried by the spring yoke, and arms car ried by theframe, said pairs of arms having means for simultaneously moving them meaneswhereby the toggles may exert a pressure upon the platen through the spring yoke.

7. In a photographic printmg machine, the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable thereover, a resilient toggle mount on the platen, a toggle including links connected to the mount and to the frame, said toggle links being arranged to swing past a dead center in pressing the laten against the printing panel, said resi ient toggle mount tending to exert a pressuretopposite to the direction of the pressure exerted-by the tog gle as it presses the platen against the panel, and a stop for limiting the toggle movement past the dead center, whereby the resilient toggle mount will retain the toggle automatically in a locked position when the platen may be lowered upon the panel.

I 8. In a'photographic printing machine, the combination with a frame having a bearing and a printing panel therein, of a platen adapted to move to and from the panel, a shaft adapted to turn in the bearing and support a toggle member, a toggle havin members pivoted to the platen and attache to shaft, a handle for moving the toggle, a switch actuating member mounted on the shaft, a switch carried by the frame, and an electric lamp beneath the panel, said electric lamp being suitably wired through the switch whereby a movement of the handle may lower the platen through the toggle,-

the toggle moving the shaft and switch actuator which latter member may close the switch to light the-lamp as the platen comes to rest upon the panel.

9. In a photographic printing machine,

the combination with'a frame having a print ing panel therein, of a platen adapted to move to and fromthe panel, a support on the frame having a bearing therein, platen operating mechanism connected to the platen and to a shaft supported in the bearing, a switch operating member supportedon the shaft, and a switch located upon the support'above the printing frame, said platen operating mechanism and switch operating member functioning ain timed relation through the shaft.

v1O. In a photographic printing machine,

the combination with a frame having a printing paneltherein, of a platenadapted to cover and uncover the panel, platen moving mechanism attached to the platen, a

plurality of arms extending up from the rame to support ashaft carried by said arms, platen moving mechanism carried by the shaft, anelectric lamp beneath the panel,

a switch for controlling the lamp, a mount for said switch between said arms, and connections between the platen moving mechanism and the switch whereby the latter will be actuated by the former-in timed relation.

11. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable over the frame, a body portion supporting the frame and having a series of apertures cut in a side thereof, a supporting arm pivoted to the body portion and having a part cooperatin apertures 1n the body portion whereby the an ular relation between the printing panel and the supporting arm may be altered.

12. In a photographic printing machine, the combination with a box-like structure, a frame carried by the box and having a printing panel and a plurality of apertures therein, of a platen movable over the frame, of means for adjusting the angle of .the printing frame including a hinged bar, projections on said bar removed from the hinge and adapted to enter apertures in the box whereby the angular relation between the box and its supports may be altered at will.

13. In a photographic printing machine the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen adapted to cover and uncover the printing panel,

platen operating mechanism adapted to move the platen, of a support for the platen operating mechanism carried by the platen including a bowed spring, a portion of the bowed spring having turned up ears "for receiving parts of the platen operating mechanism.

14. In a photographic printing machine the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen adapted to cover and uncover the printing panel, platen operating mechanism adapted to move the platen, of, a support for the platen operating mechanism and including two s rings, one spring being carried by the p aten, and the other spring carrying parts of the platen oparating mechanism, parts of J the two springsibeing in contact.

15. In a photographic printing machine the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen adapted.

to cover and uncover the printing panel, platen operating mechanism adapted to move the platen, and connections between" the platen operating mechanism and the platen comprising a pair of contacting springs.

0 16. In aphotographic printing machine the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, ofav platen adapted to cover and uncoverthe printing panel,

= platen operating mechanism adapted to move the platen, and connections. between the platen operating mechanism and the with .any one of the series ofplaten comprising a pair of contacting springs, an one spring being carried by the platen, the other spring being carried by the platen moving mechanism, and connections between the two springs.

17. In a photographic printing machine the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable over the panel, platen moving mechanism including a toggle having an operative position for exerting pressure on the platen in which the links lie in a substantially straight line, said links when in this position lying at an angle to the platen, and a spring-between the toggleandplaten mounted at an angle to-the platen whereby the thrust of said spring may be directly opposed to the thrust of the toggle links.

18. In a photographic printing machine the combination with a frame having a printing panel therein, of a platen movable over the panel, platen moving mechanism including a toggle having an operative position for exerting pressure on the platen in which the links lie in asubstantlally straight line, connections between the, platen and lamp beneath the printing panel, 'a switch for the electric lamp mounted between the brackets, the brackets forming a housing for the switch, and means carried by the platen moving mechanism supported on the brackets for actuating the lamp switch.

20. In a photographic printing achine, the combination with a frame having a to and from-the printing anel, a toggle for rmoving the platen including an L-shaped toggle arm and a straight arm pivoted together, an extension on one toggle arm for limiting the relative movement of the tog-- gle arms, and a handle carried by one part of the L-shaped toggle arm for moving the toggle in one direction in which the movement of the toggle arms may be limited by one toggle arm contacting. with the other toggle a'rm.

Signed at Rochester, New York this v12th day of December 1924.

' '1 3ENJAMIN D. CHAMBERLIN.

- printing panel therein,,of a platen movable 

